Buying A Used Car: Dealing With A Private Seller

Buying A Used Car: Dealing With A Private Seller

Shopping for a used car can be a stressful experience, and for many of us, the most stressful part is interacting with the dealer. Used car salesmen have a reputation for being pushy, and regardless of how well-founded that reputation is, many consumers prefer to do business with a private party instead of a dealer. There are advantages to this, of coursechief among them is the price, which is generally lower when dealing with an individual instead of a dealershipbut of course, the human interaction is still very much a part of the equation, and it's important to consider the kinds of questions you should be asking of the person trying to sell you an automobile.Actually, if possible, it's good to ask certain questions even before you meet the person and see the car. For instance, if you're able to speak with them beforehand, ask them how many miles are showing on the odometer. You can use this informationcoupled with the car's make and modelto determine the value of the car from any number of consumer websites, allowing you to get a reasonable price in mind before you even see the car and begin negotiation.It's also important to ask the seller why he or she is parting with the car. It could be that the seller just bought a new vehicle, or perhaps that the vehicle belonged to a recently-deceased relative. In either of these cases, you can take some satisfaction in knowing that the seller is probably fairly eager to get rid of the thingand is therefore more likely to make a good deal with you. Conversely, if the car belonged to a son or daughter who recently relocated, the seller may not have too great a sense of urgency about unloading it.Also ask the seller to describe the condition of the car. If he or she tells you that the car is in excellent condition, then either it is, in fact, an excellent car, or you will immediately see that it isn't, in which case you will know that the seller is dishonest. Or, if the seller tells you that the car is only in so-so or fair condition, this could indicate that the seller is either not particularly knowledgeable about automobiles, or that he or she might be willing to bargain.A final suggestion: Ask the seller what kind of oil he or she uses in the vehicle. If the answer is immediate, there is a better than decent chance that you are dealing with someone who takes pride in maintaining their car well. But if the answer is "I don't know," or if the answer given turns out to be incorrect, be wary. These are signs of a negligent car owner.Of course, these questions are ultimately less important than a test drive and a thorough inspection of the vehicle, but they are nevertheless valuable. Using these tactics, you can get a feel for the kind of person you are dealing with and the kind of car you are looking atand maybe even get yourself a better deal in the process.

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